An Honest Look at Missouri Insurance Careers Today

Obtaining a license to sell insurance in Missouri is a worthwhile consideration, including the following:

• High demand: Missouri requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. Demand for other types of insurance, such as life, health, and disability, is driven by individuals and families who want to protect their financial futures.
  

• Severe weather: Missouri's location in "Tornado Alley" makes homeowners and renters particularly susceptible to potentially devastating weather, including strong thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes. That heightened risk drives non-negotiable demand for residential and commercial properties. For homeowners with a mortgage, coverage is required by lenders.
  

• Job stability: Regardless of the state of the economy, people and businesses need protection for their property, homes, vehicles, lives, health, and other assets. That constant demand makes insurance a resilient and recession-resistant career with a great deal of job security.
  

• Diversity: In Missouri's populated metro areas like St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia, there's a growing demand for insurance agents from all walks of life. Additionally, rural areas provide agents with opportunities to specialize in niche markets, such as farm insurance or health insurance for small businesses.

• Flexibility: Many agents can set their working hours or build independent businesses on their own terms.

• High income potential: Even if you work for a large carrier, your efforts, such as networking and maintaining client relationships, enable you to grow a book of business with high income potential.

• Low barriers to entry: Compared to other professions with similar income potential, the barriers for becoming an insurance agentPre License How Do I Start The Missouri Insurance Licensing Process Resources are relatively low; you don't need an expensive four-year college degree. Now, more than ever, career options that don't require you to make a significant investment or go into debt are vastly underrated.

Every industry has its challenges, and the insurance industry is no exception. Some downsides of working as a licensed insurance agent in Missouri include:

• Passing required exams: Every insurance line you want to sell–such as property, casualty, life, and health–requires you to pass a state licensing examPre License What To Expect On The Missouri Insurance Exam Resources and complete continuing educationPre License What Are Missouris Continuing Education Requirements For Insurance Agents Resources to renew your license.
  

• Working on commission: Your income could be less than a salaried job, especially for new agents who are building a customer base.

• Having a variable income: Your income can go up or down depending on your sales results, especially in a commission-heavy role.
  

• Needing self-motivation: Being in sales means staying committed to prospecting for new clients, following up on inquiries, and conducting a periodic needs analysis with policyholders.
  

• Helping people through difficult times: You'll be a client's first point of contact after dealing with a catastrophe, such as after being involved in a car accident, having their home destroyed by a natural disaster, or losing a loved one.

You might be surprised that successful insurance agents are often skilled communicators with the ability to make complex topics easy to understand. For instance, if a client doesn't understand the benefits of policy features, such as comprehensive and collision auto insurance, they're not likely to purchase them.

Additionally, self-starters thrive in commission-based jobs, such as insurance, because it all comes down to results. If you enjoy meeting people, listening to their needs, and delivering exceptional service, you could have a successful careerPre License How Can I Pass My Missouri Insurance Exam On The First Try Resources in the industry. Additionally, it's possible to transition from being an agent to a broker and open your own agency.

An unexpected benefit that many insurance agents experience is a sense of pride in serving others, especially in a state like Missouri that values community. An insurance agent is more than a salesperson; they are a trusted advisor. You'll educate people about protecting their assets, guide them through some of life's most critical events, help problem-solve, and work to protect their financial futures.

To sell insurance in Missouri, you must be at least 18 and live in the state. While there are no formal pre-licensing education requirements, completing a preparatory course, such as one from Aceable, is highly recommended to increase your chances of passing the state licensing exam.

You must pass a licensing exam for the specific type of insurance you wish to sell, such as property, casualty, life, or health, with a score of 70% or higher. You can choose to be licensed in a single insurance line or obtain a combined license, such as property and casualty. Then, you must apply to the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and undergo a background check.

The entire process from starting your studies to receiving your license can take anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on your study pace. You can start your Missouri insurance license online today and study anytime, anywhere, and move your career forward with confidence.

Plus, once you have a Missouri insurance license, you can sell insurance in nearby states without having to retake other state licensing exams. Finally, you must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years to renew your license.

As you're working on obtaining a Missouri insurance licensePre License How Long Does It Take To Get An Insurance License In Missouri Resources, you can decide what career role you want. There are two main types of agents: captive and independent.

Captive agents work exclusively for one insurance company, such as State Farm or Allstate, selling only their products. It's a path that often provides training and support, which is excellent for new agents.

Independent agents work with multiple insurance companies, offering clients a wider range of products. This path offers more flexibility and higher earning potential, but it also requires more entrepreneurial spirit and self-motivation.

There are many resources for finding the right insurance role. I recommend maintaining a professional LinkedIn profile that highlights your new license and career aspirations. You can also use the platform to connect with industry professionals and explore available job openings.

Other ways to find insurance work include joining an industry association or local business groups and networking with related professionals, such as real estate agents and mortgage brokers. Be prepared to talk about why you're excited to begin an insurance career in Missouri and what makes you a great candidate.